Category: CCMP Capital

Stephen Murray was an equity investor and philanthropist. Throughout his life he became the president and chief executive officer of CCMP Capital, a major equity firm.

His success as a businessman and philanthropist was due in large par tot his work ethic and the way he applied it to education. He graduated from Boston college in 1984 with a BS in Economics. He later graduated from Columbia Business School with a master’s degree in Business Administration.

His career began around the same time he completed his undergraduate studies. In 1984 he was hired as a member of the credit analyst training program at Manufacturers Hanover Corporation.

Wikipedia post says that Stephen Murray spent 5 years putting his education into practice and developing and understanding of the field before his career took a slight turn. The MH Equity Corporation merged their leveraged finance unit with the Manufacturers Hanover’s private equity group.

Over the following years, through further company takeovers and mergers, Murray’s employer shifted several times. In 1991, Manufacturers Hanover was purchased by Chemical Bank which 5 years later merged with Chase Manhattan Corporation. Finally, in 2005 Murray achieved a top level position as the head of buyout business at industry giant JP Morgan Partners before turning JP Morgan Partners into CCMP Capital by co-founding with other company leaders in August 2006. Within a year, Stephen Murray was named CEO.

A prime example of Murray’s abilities to facilitate and close big deals can be seen in his actions during the spin out of JP Morgan Partners. While JP Morgan transformed, Stephen Murray was able to lead a move with his new company, CCMP, to raise two more multi-billion-dollar funds. This phenomenal feat was grew into something that would last for years. One of these funds grew to over $3.5 billion before closing last September.

Stephen Murray’s other work pursuits included serving on the board of several major companies. These included AMC Entertainment, The Vitamin Shoppe, Cabela’s, Aramark, Warner Chilcott and Pinnacle Foods.

Business wasn’t Stephen Murray’s only pursuit. He was well known for using his position as a businessman to embark on philanthropic pursuits. His efforts included support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in New York, the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, the Columbia Business School and more. His work went beyond donations as he became a influential addition to the Make-A-Wish Foundation by becoming a member of the chairman’s council.